Crappie numbers are up from previous years. The average crappie should be 8-9 inches and weigh just under 1 lb. Most crappie anglers focus their efforts during the spring when the fish move up the creeks and rivers into shallower water to spawn. Early spring is an excellent time to catch a trophy "slab" as the females will be heavy with eggs and in excellent condition prior to the spawn. Later in the summer, crappie will concentrate in deeper waters, where anglers can catch them by targeting brush piles located on humps and channel ledges.

Spotted bass make up about 80% of the black bass population. There are good numbers of largemouths, with many exceeding 5 lbs. Spotted bass tend to hold a little deeper than largemouths, and can be finicky in their willingness to bite. Experienced anglers rely on light line and smaller lures to trick spotted bass into biting. Steep rocky banks and brush piles in 10-25 feet of water will hold spotted bass most all year long.

Striper and hybrid populations are doing well, feeding on the abundant gizzard and threadfin shad. Striped bass up to 40 lbs have been taken from Allatoona, though the average striper will weigh 4-5 lbs and the average hybrid will be slightly smaller. Anglers seeking these "freight trains with fins" should use their depth finders to locate large schools of shad in open water areas. Stripers and hybrids typically school under the shad. Another tell-tale sign is to look for birds feeding on shad at the surface of the water. Bucktail jigs, or trolled live shad, are the most popular methods for catching stripers and hybrids. During the summer months, stripers and hybrids will seek out cooler water. Anglers should search up the rivers, or in deeper water areas near the dam. White bass are also abundant in the reservoir and anglers often target them in the rivers, upstream of the lake, during their spring spawning run.

Bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and redear sunfish are available to the bream angler. Numbers of bream are low. But, as is often the case, this leads to the chance of catching some truly trophy sized bream. Channel and flathead catfish are also available in Allatoona. Channel catfish are more abundant, but the flatheads tend to grow to much larger sizes.

Carp are numerous, widely distributed, and grow to large sizes. Most carp fishing is concentrated in the Acworth Dam area. Carp are very strong fighters and will give a worthwhile battle!

Resident anglers, 16 years of age or older, are required to have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession while fishing in freshwater and saltwater in Georgia, EXCEPT: a fishing license is not required when fishing in a private pond. This does not include ponds owned by governments (city, county, Federal or the State of Georgia).

Allatoona Bass Club

PARK MARINA RENTALS 651 RED TOP MOUNTAIN RD SE 770-975-1234

Lake Red Top Mountain State Park Situated on a 1,950 acre peninsula along Lake Allatoona only one and a half miles east of I75, Red Top Mountain State Park can introduce you to boating, fishing, and general relaxation in the red clay hills located 40 miles north of Atlanta. Horse trails and a marina are on the grounds. A special feature is the abundant wildlife, and visitors are encouraged to see a reconstructed 1860s homestead from Georgia's past. The park's 33-room lodge, restaurant and meeting facilities make this park a great getaway for individuals and groups.

Directions:I75 Exit 123, then right Phone: (770)975-0055 (770)573-9658 (reservations) Address: 653 Red Top Mountain Road, S. E., Cartersville, Georgia, 30120 Facilities: 92 Tent, Trailer, RV Sites, 18 Cottages, 33-Room Lodge, Restaurant and Conference Center, Pioneer Camp, 2 Group Shelters, 7 Picnic Shelters Tennis Courts, Swimming Beach

Pine Acres is an aquatic camp with 140 acres along the shore of Lake Allatoona. Resident Ranger: (404) 974-6696 Lake swimming area, 20 canoes, 12 sailboats. Unit with wheelchair-accessible tents and bathhouse. Winterized unit. Primitive camp area. Day-use area.

Scout Haven is a small camp located in a suburban neighborhood on Lake Allatoona. Scout Haven is ideal for beginning campers and winter camping. In addition to the lakeshore to explore, there are short hiking trails through the pines. Sites are available for family camping. Resident Ranger: (404) 974-4883

Lake Allatoona Visitors Center Directions: Take I-75 to Exit 125, then east on Highway 20 to Spur 20. South on Spur 20, four miles to the center. (770)382-4700

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Cherokee county Chamber of Commerce info

About North Georgia

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Cartersville Depot (770) 387-1357

Roselawn Museum 224 W. Cherokee Ave (770) 387-5162

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site

Weinman Mineral Museum

Chieftains Trail

New Echota State Historic Site (Cherokee capital)